Hoop Stand from Apollo Design Technology

For floor-mounted fixtures, one of the last things we think of is the actual floor base we typically use — until we get to the gig and notice that it’s missing. I can’t count the number of times floor bases have missed the truck! It can be an honest mistake, of course. But someone back at the shop is going to get an earful. To help keep that mistake from happening, Apollo Design Technology has come up with a simple, lightweight and portable design for a highly stable floor stand that can easily fit into any cramped road case, the Hoop Stand.

» Simple, Practical

The Hoop Stand is a simple, elegant scissor stand that allows fixtures to be positioned on the floor or a table. The Hoop Stand folds into itself to take up less space (13.88” x 2.63” x 1.38”) than the traditional 1-foot square or round base that we all know. When folded out for placement, the Hoop Stand’s legs take up a surface area of just over a foot.

Designed for stable contact with the floor, stage deck or riser, the stand can also be folded and left on the fixture during transport or, for more permanent floor mount applications, it can be secured into place with wood screws or through-bolts. The wood that it’s made from is stained black to disappear into its surroundings.

» In Memory of K.C.

The Hoop Stand’s usefulness is not the only thing that makes it noteworthy, however. It is named in memory of the industry veteran, K.C. Hooper, who came up with the design for the folding stand — one of many practical ideas that Hooper developed for behind-the-scenes supporters of the entertainment industry.

On Dec. 12, 2012, at the age of 57, Hooper, a veteran of the industry for more than 30 years, died from complications of cancer.

Along with his product development work at Apollo Design, Hooper spent 22 years at Arizona State University as technical director and lighting director and worked at Rosco Labs as an account executive.

Hooper also shared his ideas as a guest lecturer at numerous theatre, film production, and university conferences and wrote for several industry publications.

“K.C. has always brought a gentle curiosity to our company and industry, willing to work on any project that needed done,” said Apollo president Joel Nichols, shortly after Hooper’s death, noting that Hooper was also remembered for his dedication to his family.

» Supporting the Fund

To honor Hooper’s memory, Apollo Design named the stand after Hooper and in March of this year dedicated proceeds from its sale to support The Fund of K.C. Hooper, a college fund for K.C.’s three sons — Kaulin, Kauner and Kaury.

Another product that Hooper developed for Apollo Design Technology is the Tour Jacket, a quilted fabric bag that helps protect delicate LED fixtures and their on-board controls from bumps, scrapes and grime during transport.

Proceeds from sales of Apollo Design’s quilted Tour Jackets ($36) also benefit the fund, and anyone can also contribute donations to the fund directly. You can link to it via www.plsn.me/HoopStand or go directly to
www.apollodesign.net/kchooper.